UNLV Innovation - 2012

The Research Magazine of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dong-Chan Lee Chemistry
What is the impact of this research?
Lee is establishing the concept for his research and has
authored scholarly articles in several prestigious journals on the
subject. He will soon collaborate with other scientists who will
test the efficiency of devices based on his nanofibers; this will,
in essence, assess the applicability of his concept and begin to
indicate its value. If these nanofibers do facilitate charge transport
more effectively than other materials, as he has postulated, they
may be used in a whole host of applications, such as improved
solar cells, organic LEDs, and transistors. While he acknowledges
it is a long way off, if his concept is confirmed, it could make a
significant contribution to the field of electronics.
Lee also seeks to expand the impact of his research through
outreach into the high schools. Through his summer research
programs, students from Basic High School have already
participated in the NSF research project for two years. “This
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I N N OVAT I O N
program has received positive feedback from both the students
and the teacher,” Lee says, noting that he hopes the program
promotes interest in science among the students.
Lee has also received more than $850,000 in grant funding,
including an internal seed grant designed to facilitate external
grant acquisition.
How did he become interested in this area of study?
“Previously, I worked in two different areas that I connected
for the current research: developing new organic semiconductors
and self-assembly of organic molecules,” he says. “After seeing
the limitations of organic semiconductor research, I had a novel
thought: Why not try programming organic molecules so that
they self-assemble? This would create nanofibers that facilitate
charge transport and could be used to improve the material for
organic semiconductor-based devices.”
How are students involved?
In addition to his summer research program for high school
students, Lee has worked closely with more than a dozen UNLV
students in his laboratory.
“I provide research opportunities to undergraduate students
to enable them to experience cutting-edge science,” he says. “I also
provide mentoring and training to graduate students so that they
can learn problem-solving techniques through research.”
Research opportunities equip all students with analytical
skills necessary for their future careers, Lee notes.
He also incorporates his research into his classroom
instruction so that students can see how organic chemistry can
be applied to create something useful in daily life. “This helps
to motivate students and keeps them up-to-date on the real-life
application of organic chemistry.”
What other areas does he study?
“Resources are limited, and I am deeply involved in my
current area of research,” he says. “But I’m considering the notion
of applying this concept to other types of electronic devices, such
as sensors.”
How does he feel about receiving the NSF Career Award?
“Lucky,” he says with a smile, noting that he had heard it
was important to speak with an NSF program officer before
submitting his proposal, but he didn’t have time to do so. He had
also heard that it was rare to receive the Career Award on the
first try. But he threw his hat in the ring along with scientists from
some of the most prestigious institutions in the U.S. and received
the award in 2009. He says he doubted himself at times as he was
applying, but he was very grateful to see how fair the process was
and to learn that his idea was validated. Since then, the NSF has
asked him to become a reviewer for other NSF awards.
2012
R. MA RSH STARKS
D
ong-Chan Lee is a patient man. He has to be. He works
at the molecular level.
Yes, he can envision his research someday leading
to useful applications in electronics or renewable energy. But
other scientists and engineers will be the ones to test and perhaps
employ his research to develop these products.
Meanwhile, he is delighted to be in his lab, conducting
research on the molecular building blocks that may one day
enhance these applications.
Lee is conducting fundamental research on new ways
of improving the properties of organic semiconductors.
Semiconductors are used as key components in all electronics
equipment – everything from radios to computers to digital
displays.
Commercial semiconductors are typically made of inorganic
material, primarily silicon, which has limitations in shape and
flexibility. Organic semiconductors, on the other hand, are more
flexible, lightweight, and easier to process than those made of
silicon, and their properties can be easily tuned through synthetic
chemistry.
For these reasons, organic semiconductors, which are
typically carbon-based, are now being used to develop novel
products, such as bendable TV screens and solar panels.
However, there are still some challenges to address with organic
semiconductors, primarily “charge transport,” or the movement
of electrons. Scientists are still grappling with this issue, as it
limits the performance of organic semiconductor-based devices.
Lee is one of the scientists studying this area. His research
focuses on improving the properties of organic semiconductors
using a bottom-up approach starting at the molecular level. His
work involves programming carbon-based molecules in a way
that enables them to self-assemble into nanofibers that make
better material for the creation of organic semiconductors.